Heel Attachment Device for Footwear

ABSTRACT

A heel attachment device for footwear is provided that includes an elastic section that can stretch in a longitudinal direction of the device. An attachment section is also present that is contiguous with the elastic section. The elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the attachment section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an attachment device for footwear that functions to attach the heel of the foot to the footwear. More particularly, the present application relates to a heel attachment device that has elastic sections and less elastic sections, and that is adjustable in order to achieve improved fit and functioning of the heel attachment device onto the footwear and foot.

BACKGROUND

Footwear, such as sandals, flip-flops, and shoes, often have an open back in which the heel of the foot is exposed. These types of footwear sometimes feature a toe attachment into which the toes of the user are positioned. The toes of the user grasp onto the toe attachment in order to hold the footwear onto the foot of the user. This attachment may be secure enough in that the toe attachment will hold onto the toes of the user, or the user may have to consciously grasp the toe attachment with his or her toes in order to ensure that the footwear does not come off. Regardless, the heel of the foot of the user remains unattached to the footwear which leads to an uncomfortable fit, less flexibility in using the footwear, and a constant distraction. Children may easily lose footwear that lacks secure attachment to the heel of the foot.

One method of securing the heel of the foot onto footwear that lacks a heel attachment or sufficient heel attachment involves sewing a strap onto portions of the footwear and then wrapping the strap around the heel for attachment. The strap is attached to an opposite portion of the footwear on the other side of the foot. Although capable of adding attachment or additional attachment for the footwear, this arrangement requires the strap to be permanently attached to the footwear and reduces the ability of the user to adjust the strap into a desired position.

Another means of providing heel attachment to footwear, such as sandals or flip-flops, includes the provision of a strap that is completely elastic and has the same degree of elasticity along its entire length. This strap is wrapped in fabric along its entire length to afford a more comfortable feel to the foot of the user when wearing. Buttons are provided on either end of the strap so that the strap can be attached to the footwear in these two places. Although capable of being removed from the footwear, the attachment is not adjustable and thus the strap cannot be used on footwear of different sizes, and cannot be adjusted for user comfort or increased functionality during use. Further, as the entire strap is elastic it provides a less comfortable feel to the user and does not function to securely hold the heel of the user to the footwear. The material making up these straps are thin and subject to failure. Additionally, the fabric used to cover the elastic strap is not durable and likewise subject to failure.

Although devices are known that are capable of attaching the heel of a foot to footwear, such devices are not adjustable, are not movable to different footwear, are not durable, do not provide a comfortable feel or functional fit. As such, there remains room for variation and improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the appended Figs. in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a heel attachment device for footwear in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the heel attachment device for footwear of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the heel attachment device for footwear of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of a sandal worn by the foot of the user with the heel attachment device attached.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the sandal worn by the foot of the user with the heel attachment device attached.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the sandal with the heel attachment device attached while worn by the foot of the user with the foot removed for clarity and portions of the sandal shown in phantom for clarity.

FIG. 7 is a top schematic view of a portion of the sandal that shows lengths that are used in sizing the heel attachment device.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations.

It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from 110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5.

The present invention provides for a heel attachment device 10 that is attachable to and removable from a piece of footwear 12 such as a sandal. The device 10 functions to attach the heel 60 of the foot 14 of the wearer to the sandal 12 to achieve a better attachment of the sandal 12 to the foot 14 of the wearer. The device 10 may reduce the changes of the footwear 12 from slipping off of the foot 14 of the user. The device 10 includes an elastic section 16 and one or more attachment sections 30, 32, 40 and 42. The elastic section 16 may be more elastic than the attachment sections 30, 32, 40 and 42 in a longitudinal direction 64 of the device 10. The attachment sections 30, 32, 40 and 42 may be attached to the toe attachment 54 or other portion of the footwear 12 through fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners 24, 34. The hook and loop fasteners 24, 34 may be adjustable along their lengths in order to achieve a desired fit of the device 10 onto the footwear 12. The device 10 may be completely removed from the footwear 12 if use of the footwear 12 without the device 10 is desired. The device 10 may also be completely removed from the footwear 12 and placed onto a different piece of footwear 12 to achieve additional utility of the device 10.

A device 10 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1 which shows a front view of the heel attachment device 10. A first elastic section 16 is located generally at the center of the device 10 in the longitudinal direction 64. The elastic section 16 has an upper surface 70 that may be elastic. Further, the entire elastic section 16 may be elastic and may be capable of stretching in the longitudinal direction 64. The elastic section 16 may also be capable of stretching in the lateral direction 66 of the device, or in the height direction 68. The elastic section 16 may be capable of stretching in any one of or all of these directions 64, 66 and/or 68 from 3%-6%, from 6%-10%, from 10%-15%, from 15%-20%, from 20%-45%, from 45%-75%, or up to 100% in accordance with different exemplary embodiments. The entire elastic section 16 can be made of a single material that is capable of stretching the desired amount, or may be made up of one or more materials that can achieve the desired amount of stretch. The first elastic section 16 may be made of a single component, or may be made of multiple components in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

An attachment section 30 is contiguous with the elastic section 16 and is located adjacent the attachment section 30 in the longitudinal direction 64. The attachment section 30 may be a first attachment section 30 and may interact with a second attachment section 32 that is present in the device and that is separated a distance from the first attachment section 30 in the longitudinal direction 64. However, in other exemplary embodiments the two attachment sections 30, 32 may be contiguous with one another. A second elastic section 18 may be located between the two attachment sections 30, 32 and can be configured in a manner similar to the first elastic section 16 and a repeat of this information is not necessary. The attachment sections 30, 32 may be releasably attachable with one another such that they can be repeatedly attached to one another and detached from one another.

A hook and loop fastener 24 can be included on the first and second attachment sections 30, 32 in order to render the attachment sections 30, 32 releasably attachable to one another. The hooks 26 may all be located on the upper surface of the second attachment section 32, and the loops 28 may all be located on the upper surface 74 of the first attachment section 30. In other embodiments, the hooks 26 may all be located on the first attachment section 30, and all of the loops 28 could be located on the upper surface of the second attachment section 32. In yet other exemplary embodiments, some of the hooks 26 could be located on both the first attachment section 30 and the second attachment section 32, and some of the loops 28 may be located on the first attachment section 30 while other ones of the loops 28 are on the second attachment section 32.

The elastic sections 16, 18 may be arranged so that they are more elastic and exhibit more stretch than the attachment sections 30, 32. In this regard, the attachment sections 30, 32 may be inelastic such that they do to stretch at all in any direction 64, 66 or 68. Alternatively, the attachment sections 30, 32 do stretch in the longitudinal direction 64, lateral direction 66, and/or height direction 68 but exhibit less stretch in these directions 64, 66, 68 than the stretch exhibited by the elastic sections 16, 18 in the directions 64, 66, 68. The attachment sections 30, 32 may capable of stretching from 0%-5%, from 5%-10%, or up to 20% in the longitudinal direction 64, the lateral direction 66 and/or the height direction 68. Again, the attachment section 30, 32 may be inelastic and thus cannot stretch any degree in any of the directions 64, 66 and 68.

The attachment sections 30, 32 can be made of one or more materials that render the sections 30, 32 less elastic than the elastic sections 16, 18. Alternatively, the attachment sections 30, 32 may include the same material or materials as the elastic section 16, 18 but may include an additional component or may be treated in some other manner to render them less elastic. For example, the sections 16, 18, 30 and 32 may all be made of the same elastic material and may all be integrally formed with one another so as to be a single component. The hooks 26 may be located on a base of material that is sewn onto the upper surface of the second attachment section 32 all the way through the second attachment section 32 to the back of the second attachment section 32. In a similar manner, the loops 28 may be on a base of material that is attached to the upper surface 74 of the first attachment section 30. This attachment may again be through sewing, or could be through adhesion, sonic welding, or integral formation in accordance with different exemplary embodiments.

With reference to FIG. 2, the first attachment section 30 has seams 48 that extend through the first attachment section 30 from its upper surface 74 to its lower surface 76. The seams 48 function to attach the loops 28 to the first attachment section 30 as previously discussed. The second attachment section 32 likewise has seams 50 that extend through the second attachment section 32 from the upper surface to the lower surface to attach the hooks 26 to the second attachment section 32. The sewing of the hooks 26 and loops 28 to their attachment sections 30, 32 functions to reduce the elasticity of the attachment sections 30, 32 as the base sections of the hook 26 and loops 28 have less elasticity than the rest of the attachment sections 30, 32. However, it is to be understood that alternate mechanisms of rendering the attachment sections 30, 32 to be less elastic than the elastic sections 18, 20 are possible in accordance with other exemplary embodiments.

With reference back to FIG. 1, a tab 22 is contiguous with the attachment section 32 and is located at a first terminal end of the device 10. The tab 22 may be made of the same material that makes up the various sections 16, 18, 30 and 32 or could be made of a different material. For example, the entire tab 22 may be made of fabric. A logo or other indicia may be located on the upper and/or lower surface of the tab 22 to identify the device 10 or provide other information. The tab 22 may be used by a user of the device 10 to assist in engagement and disengagement of the attachment sections 30, 32. A second tab 23 may also be present and is located at a second terminal end of the device 10 opposite from tab 22. The second tab 23 may be contiguous with the attachment section 42. The second tab 23 can be arranged in a similar manner as previously discussed with respect to tab 22 and a repeat of this information is not necessary. The device 10 can be arranged so that both tabs 22 and 23 are present, so only one of the tabs 22 or 23 is present, or so that neither one of the tabs 22 or 23 are present.

The device 10 may include a third attachment section 40 that is contiguous with the first elastic section 16 such that the first elastic section 16 is located between the first attachment section 30 and the third attachment section 40 in the longitudinal direction 64. A third elastic section 20 may be contiguous with the third attachment section 40 such that the third attachment section 40 is located between the third elastic section 20 and the first elastic section 16. A fourth attachment section 42 can be contiguous with the third elastic section 20 and may be located at a second terminal end of the device 10. The third elastic section 20 may be configured in a similar manner to the first and second elastic sections 16, 18 as discussed above and a repeat of this information is not necessary. Further, the third attachment section 40 could be arranged in the same manner as the first attachment section 20, and the fourth attachment section 42 could be arranged in a similar manner as the second attachment section 32 as discussed above.

A second hook and loop fastener 34 may be employed to render the third and fourth attachment sections 40, 42 releasably attachable to one another. The hooks 36 may be on the fourth attachment section 42, and the loops 38 may be on the third attachment section 40. As with the first hook and loop fastener 24, the hooks 36 may be on a base that is sewn onto the upper surface of the fourth attachment section 42 to form seams 46 in the device 10, and the loops 38 could be attached to the upper surface of the third attachment section 40 through seams 44. The attachment sections 40, 42 may exhibit less elasticity than the elastic sections 16, 18, 20 through any of the previously discussed configurations with respect to the other attachment sections 30, 32.

The hook and loop fasteners 24, 34 can be positioned so that they do not engage the foot 14 of the user. In this regard, the hooks 26, 36 and loops 28, 38 do not contact the foot 14 of the user. The elastic sections 16, 18 and 20 can be provided so that they do not have any hook and loops fasteners located thereon.

The various sections 16, 18, 20, 30, 32, 40 and 42 may all be of the same length in the lateral direction 66. The first elastic section 16 may be the longest section in the longitudinal direction 64. The first and third attachment sections 30, 40 may have the same length in the longitudinal direction 64 and can be the second longest sections in the longitudinal direction 64. The second and third elastic sections 18, 20 may have the same length in the longitudinal direction 64 and may be the third longest sections in the longitudinal direction 64. The second and fourth attachment sections 32, 42 may have the same length in the longitudinal direction 64 and may be the fourth longest sections of the device 10. The tab 22 may have the same length in the lateral direction 66 as the rest of the sections 16, 18, 20, 30, 32, 40 and 42 and may have the smallest length in the longitudinal direction 64 than any of the other sections.

With reference to FIG. 3, the various sections 16, 18, 20, 30, 32, 40, 42 and 22 may all have the same height in the height direction 68. However, the hooks 26, 36 and loops 28, 38 may extend in the height direction 68 to such a degree that they cause the sections 42, 30, 40 and 42 to have a height that is greater than the remaining sections 22, 18, 16 and 20 of the device 10. Although shown as having the same height, the tab 22 may have a lesser height in the height direction 68 than other sections 16, 18, 20, 30, 32, 40 and 42 of the device 10 in accordance with other exemplary embodiments.

The device 10 can be constructed of a piece of single elastic material that extends through all of the sections 42, 18, 30, 16, 40, 20 and 42 thus causing all of these sections to be integrally formed with one another. The hook and loop fasteners 24 and 34 may be attached to this single piece of material through sewing to form seams 44, 46, 48 and 50. The tab 22 may also be made of a separate material from the remainder of the device 10.

The device 10 may be attached to a piece of footwear 12 such as a sandal, boot, shoe, or slipper. The device 10 may be useful for footwear 12 that lacks sufficient attachment of the heel 60 to the footwear 12. The footwear 12 may have no mechanism for heel 60 attachment, or may have a mechanism that is insufficient for holding purposes of the heel 60 to the footwear 12. The device 10 can provide secure attachment of the heel 60 so that the footwear 12 does not fall off of the foot 14 of the user or is otherwise more securely positioned onto the foot 14 during activity. The device 10 can be attached to and removed from the footwear 12 for cleaning purposes, or may be removed if it is no longer desired. Further, the device 10 can be removed from the footwear 12 for attachment to a different piece of footwear 12. The device 10 may be provided in pairs for the user such that one can be used for the left footwear 12 and the other for the right footwear 12. The two devices 10 may be identically configured and can be interchangeable between the left and right footwear 12.

The device 10 may be attached to the footwear 12 before the user places his or her foot 14 into the footwear 12. In this regard, all of the attachment sections 30, 32, 40 and 42 may be attached and the user may slip his or her foot into place on the footwear 12. Alternatively, one pair of attachment sections (either 30, 32 or 40, 42) may be attached to the footwear 12 and the other not attached. For example, the attachment sections 30, 32 may be attached to the toe attachment 54 of a sandal 12, and the attachment sections 40, 42 may be unattached to the toe attachment 54 or any portion of the sandal 12. The user may place his or her foot 14 into the sandal 12 in the normal manner such that the bottom of the foot 14 rests on the upper surface of the platform 52 of the sandal 12. The user may slide their foot 14 against the toe attachment 54 of the sandal 12 so that the toe attachment 54 is slid between the big toe and the toe next to the big toe of their foot 14. Next, the user may pull the device around their heel 60 and attach the attachment sections 40, 42 to the toe attachment 54 to secure the device 10 onto the sandal 12 and foot 14 of the user.

A still alternative means of attachment of the device 10 may be made by first placing the foot 14 into the sandal 12 such that the toes are positioned between the toe attachment 54 and the foot 14 rests onto the platform 52. The user may then attach the attachment sections 30, 32 to the toe attachment 54, and then pull the device 10 around the heel 60 and then attach the other attachment sections 40, 42 to the toe attachment 54.

The device 10 is shown attached to the sandal 12 and foot 14 of the user in FIG. 4. The device 10 engages the skin of the foot 14 and the attachment sections 30, 32 are attached to one another. The second elastic section 18 encircles the left section 56 of the toe attachment 54. The left section 56 is attached to the remainder of the sandal 12 at the platform 52 and engages the foot 14. With reference also to FIG. 6, the first hook and loop fastener 24 is engaged such that the first and second attachment sections 30 and 32 are attached to one another. Neither one of the attachment sections 30 or 32 engage the left section 56 or any other portion of the toe attachment 54. The loops 28 of the first attachment section 30 are longer in length in the longitudinal direction 64 than the hooks 26 of the second attachment section 32. The hooks 26 may engage different areas of the loops 28 to allow the device 10 to be adjustable in that it can be stretched different amounts as desired. Attaching the hooks 26 closer to the first terminal end may cause one or more of the elastic sections 16, 18 or 20 to stretch a greater amount than if the hooks 26 were attached to an area of the loops 28 that are farther from the first terminal end of the device 10.

When attached, the upper surface 74 may face away from the foot 14, and the lower surface of the second attachment section 32 may face towards the foot 14. The second elastic section 18 may engage the foot 14, and the tab 22 may not engage the foot 14. The tab 22 can be grasped by the user and used to pull the second attachment section 32 into engagement at the desired location with the first attachment section 30. When disengagement is desired, the tab 22 can again be grasped and pulled in order to effect release of the hook and loop fastener 24.

With reference back again to FIG. 4, when the device 10 is attached the first elastic section 16 may extend around the heel 60 and the lower surface 72 may engage the heel 60. The first elastic section 16 may be positioned below the ankle 62 of the foot 14. However, in other arrangements of the device the first elastic section 16 may extend over a portion or all of the ankle 62. The first elastic section 16 may stretch as it is worn by the user and this stretching may function to provide a more snug fit of the device onto the foot 14 to more firmly attach the heel 60 to the sandal 12.

FIG. 5 shows the opposite side of the foot 14 and sandal 12 from that illustrated in FIG. 4. The first elastic section 16 extends around the heel 60 and is again located below the ankle 62 on this side of the foot 14. The device 10 is connected on this side to the right section 58 of the toe attachment 54. In this regard, and referring also to FIG. 6, the third elastic section 20 circles the right section 58 and is stretched when attached to the sandal 12. The fourth attachment section 42 does not engage the foot 14, and the inner surface of the third attachment section 40 does engage the foot 14. The upper surface of the third attachment section 40 faces away from the foot 14, and the upper surface of the fourth attachment section 42 faces towards the foot 14 when the third and fourth attachment sections 40, 42 are attached. The loops 38 of the third attachment section 40 are longer in the longitudinal direction 64 than the hooks 36 of the fourth attachment section 42. As shown in FIG. 5 a portion of the area of the loops 38 are visible as the hooks 36 are attached to a portion of the loops 38 spaced some distance from the second terminal end of the device 10. In this manner, the engagement between the third and fourth attachment sections 40, 42 is adjustable to achieve a desired attachment or fit of the device 10 to the sandal 12.

The various elastic sections 16, 18, 20 are exposed in that they are not covered by fabric or any other covering and directly engage the foot 14 or are otherwise viewable to the user. In this manner, the elastic material making up the elastic sections 16, 18 and 20 directly contact the foot 14 and are viewable to the user. However, other embodiments are possible in which fabric or some other material is included in the elastic sections 16, 18 and 20 to cover certain portions of the elastic sections 16, 18 and 20 or provide a more comfortable feel against the skin of the wearer's foot 14.

The various sections 22, 30, 32, 40, 42, 18, 16, and 20 can be formed as a unitary piece or can be different pieces that are attached to one another such as by sewing or other means.

A method of sizing the heel attachment device 10 is disclosed with reference to FIG. 7 that shows the top of a portion of the footwear 12. The device 10 is shown in an attached position on the footwear 12 with the foot 14 no present for sake of clarity. The device 10 is attached to the footwear at the left section 56 and right section 58 of the toe attachment 54. The size and location of the sections 56, 58 may be different between different types of footwear 12, between different manufacturers, different sizes of the same type of footwear 12. The method of sizing the device 10 takes into account the size and positioning of the toe attachment 54.

With reference to FIG. 7, the left and right sections 56, 58 of the toe attachment 54 are shown. The method uses only one of the sections 56, 58 and for sake of example, the right section 58 will be used to size the device 10. However, it is to be understood that the left section 56 may be used alternatively as well. The front of the section 58 is designated with the letter f, and the back of the section is designated with the letter s. The width of the section 58 is designated by the letter w, and this may be expressed as w=s−f. The width w of the toe attachment 54 may thus be measured from the front of the section 58 to the back of the section 58 that is closest to the heel of the footwear 12.

The base of the heel of the footwear 12 is designed by the letter b in FIG. 7. This point b may be the center of the heel of the upper surface 52 which is the surface of the footwear 12 that the foot 14 engages. The point b may be the apex of the heel of the upper surface 52 and thus the point that is located at its extreme terminal end. If this portion of the upper surface 52 is flat or otherwise has multiple points that are at its extreme terminal end the point b may be the point that is in the center of this flat portion or multiple component portions.

The letter d is the distance from the right section 58 to the base of the heel b. In particular, d is the distance from the base of the heel b to the closest part of the section 58 which is the back of the section 58 s. The distance d may be represented by the expression d=b−s. A distance of 0.5 inches may be present from the base of the heel b to the closest portion of the device 10 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

The length of the device 10 is the length of the device 10 as measured in the longitudinal direction 64 with reference back to FIG. 1. The length of the device 10 may be represented by the letter r and may be expressed by the equation r=[(d−0.5)+(2(w+0.5))+1]*2. The units may be in inches.

This equation that gives rise to the length r of the device 10 is developed by the component d−0.5 which is the distance from the heel to the closest part of the toe attachment on one of the sides with 0.5 inches subtracted from this distance d. The reason that 0.5 inches is subtracted is to allow for elasticity because there needs to be a stretch of the device 10 to allow the device 10 to function.

The component of the equation w+0.5 inches is due to the width of the right section 58. Because the elastic device 10 will have a certain degree of thickness, for example approximately 1/16^(th) of an inch, the wrapping of the elastic device 10 around the right section 58 will add to the length of the device 10. This is determined to be 0.5 inches.

Since there are two sections 56, 58 the wrapping number must be doubled to thus double the length to arrive at the component 2 (w+0.5).

The +1 in the equation is included in order to add one inch to the length of the device 10 to allow for at least one inch of contact of the hook 26, 36 portions of the device to the loop portions 28, 38. A minimum of one inch is added in order to ensure the device 10 stays on and does not disconnect from itself. The multiplication of 2 in the equation is done in order to double the entire calculation to account for the other half of the device 10. The calculated length r of the device 10 may be the length in the longitudinal direction before the device 10 is attached to the footwear 12 or otherwise stretched. The length r of the device 10 may be the lengths between the extreme terminal ends in the longitudinal directions 64. Alternatively, the length r of the device 10 may be the length between the extreme terminal ends of the attachment sections 32 and 42 thus leaving off the tabs 22 and/or 23.

The equation for the calculation of the length r may be made in order to determine the appropriate length of the device 10 for the particular piece of footwear 12. However, other equations or methods are possible in other exemplary embodiments. The aforementioned equation may be used by a customer to help them determine the size of device 10 they need by submission of the measurements d and w. The manufacturer, distributor, or other can help the customer determine what size device 10 they need, such as whether the longitudinal length r of the device 10 should be 13 inches, 15 inches, or 17 inches.

While the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A heel attachment device for footwear, comprising: an elastic section that can stretch in a longitudinal direction of the device; and an attachment section that is contiguous with the elastic section, wherein the elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the attachment section.
 2. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the attachment section is a first attachment section, and further comprising a second attachment section that is attached to the first attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the second attachment section.
 3. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first attachment section and the second attachment section have a hook and loop fastener that allows for releasable engagement between the first attachment section and the second attachment section, wherein the hooks of the hook and loop fastener are located on the second attachment section, and wherein the loops of the hook and loop fastener are located on the first attachment section.
 4. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the elastic section is a first elastic section, and further comprising a second elastic section that is contiguous with the first attachment section and the second attachment section and is between the first attachment section and the second attachment section, wherein the second elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the first attachment section and the second attachment section.
 5. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 4, further comprising: a third elastic section; a third attachment section that is contiguous with the first elastic section; a fourth attachment section that is attached to the third attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the third elastic section is contiguous with the fourth attachment section and is located between the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section, wherein the third elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section.
 6. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section have a hook and loop fastener that allows for releasable engagement between the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section, wherein the hooks of the hook and loop fastener are located on the fourth attachment section, and wherein the loops of the hook and loop fastener are located on the third attachment section, wherein the fourth attachment section is located at a terminal end of the device.
 7. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a tab that is contiguous with the second attachment section, wherein the tab is located at a terminal end of the device.
 8. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the heel attachment device is attached to the footwear, wherein the footwear is worn by a foot of a user, wherein the attachment section and the elastic section directly contact the foot of the user.
 9. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elastic section has a lower surface that is elastic that directly engages skin of a user's foot when the device is attached to footwear that is worn by the foot of the user.
 10. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a length (r) of the device in the longitudinal direction is determined based on the equation: r=[(d−0.5 inches)+(2(w+0.5 inches))+1]*2 wherein the units are in inches; wherein w is the width of a section of a toe attachment to which the device is attached measured from a front to a back of the section; and wherein d is the distance from a base of a heel of the footwear to the back of the section.
 11. A heel attachment device for footwear, comprising: a first attachment section; a second attachment section that is attached to the first attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the first attachment section and the second attachment section have a hook and loop fastener to attach the first attachment section and the second attachment section through releasable engagement.
 12. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the second attachment section is attachable along different areas of the first attachment section to render the attachment between the first and second attachment sections adjustable.
 13. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 11, wherein all of the hooks of the hook and loop fastener are located on the first attachment section, and wherein all of the loops of the hook and loop fastener are located on the second attachment section.
 14. The heel attachment device as set forth claim 11, further comprising: a first elastic section that is contiguous with the first attachment section, wherein the first elastic section can stretch a greater amount in a longitudinal direction than the first attachment section and the second attachment section; and a second elastic section that is contiguous with both the first attachment section and the second attachment section, wherein the second elastic section is located between the first attachment section and the second attachment section.
 15. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 14, further comprising: a third attachment section that is contiguous with the first elastic section; a fourth attachment section that is attached to the third attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section have a second hook and loop fastener to attach the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section through releasable engagement; and a third elastic section that is contiguous with both the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section, wherein third elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section.
 16. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the fourth attachment section is attachable along different areas of the third attachment section to render the attachment between the third and fourth attachment sections adjustable.
 17. The heel attachment device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the first attachment section elastic section has a lower surface that directly engages skin of a user's foot when the device is attached to footwear that is worn by the foot of the user.
 18. A heel attachment device for footwear, comprising: a first elastic section that can stretch in a longitudinal direction of the device, wherein the first elastic section has a lower surface that is elastic that directly engages skin of a user's foot when the device is attached to footwear that is worn by the foot of the user; a first attachment section that is contiguous with the first elastic section, wherein the first elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the first attachment section; a second elastic section that can stretch in the longitudinal direction, wherein the second elastic section is contiguous with the first attachment section, wherein the first attachment section is located between the first and second elastic sections, wherein the second elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the first attachment section; a second attachment section that is contiguous with the second elastic section, wherein the second elastic section is located between the first and second attachment sections, wherein the second attachment section is attached to the first attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the first attachment section and the second attachment section have a first hook and loop fastener to attach the first attachment section and the second attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the second attachment section is attachable along different areas of the first attachment section to render the attachment between the first and second attachment sections adjustable; a third attachment section that is contiguous with the first elastic section, wherein the first elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the third attachment section, wherein the first elastic section is located between the first and third attachment sections; a third elastic section that can stretch in the longitudinal direction, wherein the third elastic section is contiguous with the third attachment section, wherein the third attachment section is located between the first and third elastic sections, wherein the third elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the third attachment section; a fourth attachment section that is contiguous with the third elastic section, wherein the third elastic section is located between the third and fourth attachment sections, wherein the fourth attachment section is attached to the third attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section have a second hook and loop fastener to attach the third attachment section and the fourth attachment section through releasable engagement, wherein the fourth attachment section is attachable along different areas of the third attachment section to render the attachment between the third and fourth attachment sections adjustable. 